Low on hay until the 5th. What can I give instead?

[Wolfy]

I’ve been using Oxbow hay and both of my rabbits love it. But I am currently finically struggling and am low on hay until I get paid on the 5th. I’m trying to find something that’ll supply them for roughly 2 days ( their hay should last them till tonight or tomorrow ). My options are: pellets ( timothy based ), alfalfa hay ( one is 7-8 months, the other is 5 years old ), or high fiber feed I got from my Happy Bunny Club boxes, and veggies ( lettuce, cilantro — I’ll be able to get fresh helpings of — and celery ) provided they haven’t wilted to the point they’ll turn their noses up at it.

Please note this is a RARE occurrence. I’m usually able to supply them hay 24/7, this time might’ve been a miscalculation thinking their two bags of 96 oz hay would last them until my next payday as I got them toys and a hideout from Oxbow, one that I considered a belated birthday present for one of my rabbits, that used up the rest of my money. I’m not having much luck getting help in terms of selling things that’ll give me enough to buy just one bag.

[Wolfy]

…I don’t understand why I’m ignored on every platform no matter what it is. No, I don’t want to hear “not everyone wants to reply to every thread” because it’s always /mine/ that rarely gets acknowledgement or support. I’m so done.

[Bam]

I’m sorry noone has replied to your post.

What type of high fiber feed do you have?

If I were to choose between extra pellets and alfalfa, I’d choose the alfalfa hay, and reduce the amount of pellets. (Alfalfa is high in protein and energy and calcium, which is why you should cut back on the pellets). Alfalfa has good long fiber.

If you can get fresh grass, (pesticide free) it would be good to complement the alfalfa with that. If you are in the Northern hemisphere, grass is good this time of year. It is just spring grass that should be fed in small amounts (spring grass is very rich).

Give fresh greens the same as you always do or a bit more.

We can all find ourself in situations where we need to improvise.

[Wolfy]

Right now I have a variety of feeds that include different herbs and flowers, specifically looking for those that are high in fibre and don’t mind if it’s used as a daily feed contrary to those that recommend being it fed in small quantities. I have found a few I might use either for daily feed or as an addition to their salads. While it might be okay for my youngest, I’m just concerned of the amount for my older one who might develop sludge or stones from it. Here, we generally don’t have much fresh grass, half to most of it is yellowish/brownish or dead and I don’t know for 100% certainty they’re pesticide free, otherwise I’d get either grass from my parents if allowed or stock up on carrot tops. The idea was also to supply more greens but wasn’t sure if would be ideal since people recommend roughly a cup or slightly more of veggies per day. But I should have enough of both the feeds ( hopefully ) and veggies to keep their tracts going and healthy till I can get something.

[Wick & Fable]

I’m sorry that you have felt ignored on other platforms — to my knowledge, this is the first time you have posted on Binkybunny forums. For this topic specifically, it is not one people can answer as easily. It is not unusual for more ‘difficult’ questions to not get answered immediately. Not everyone is equipped to answer less commonly asked questions. I understand it is frustrating when you are asking for help, but please remember that as you are unsure about a clear answer, it likely means many others are as well.

This may be helpful for you– it is the provided recommendation from the r/Rabbits discord server:

“Running out of hay is not optimal, but if you at least have pellets, you can increase and split their daily portion over the course of the day into at least 3 feedings to make sure that they are still eating throughout the day. If you have a yard with grass, you can also harvest fresh grass to feed your rabbit until you can obtain more hay. If you still have access to fresh greens, we would recommend increasing that portion as well.

Try to offer more chew toys such as rabbit-safe branches and grass mats to help with teeth wear in the meantime.

However, do watch out for signs of poopy butt as some rabbits may get messy behinds from the lack of fiber in the diet.

We would recommend stocking up on recovery foods such as Critical Care and grass hay cubes or hay stacks as a double backup if you do not have space to store much hay.“

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Wolfy]

This is more of a general feeling. I’m ignored regardless of the question/topic, it’s been constant on every platform, including this by the past 2 or so hours. I don’t know, it might’ve just been spurred how it’s an endless cycle lately. But thank you.

[Bam]

Fresh twigs, as Wick suggests, would be very good. There are lots of trees that are bunny safe, just make sure they’re not treated with pesticides. Apple twigs and willow are as a rule the most appreciated by buns, but twigs from birch or hazel or linden and many other trees might also be interesting. Take off most of the leaves (except from willow) – you can dry the leaves you pick off and use them as a hay topper during winter.

[Wolfy]

I believe I have twigs that came with one of the monthly boxes, I’ll double check to see which sort it is but both haven’t shown much interest in chewing in them. They also have a wide variety of toys that they tend to ignore if it isn’t a favorite, which is a little surprising from my youngest who usually is the one for toys. My oldest is more food driven. Second, I’m not well versed with the trees in the area in seeing whether they’ve been treated with pesticide or not.

[Bam]

I do think your buns will be fine, this is just for a very short time. The main thing to be observant of is poop. Any significant and rapid change in diet can cause tummy upset in animals as well as people.

If you got the twigs in a monthly box  my guess is apple or willow. They  wouldnt be from poisonous trees. Not all buns are interested in twigs though.

[BZOO]

I’m not going to say this is ideal, but ..

Back in the day (70’s) we raised rabbits, primarily for show.  We fed unlimited pellet and occasionally veggies.  They never saw a blade of hay…though the pellets back then we’re pretty much just chopped hay…not the conglomeration of stuff they make now.  I was just a kid, this is how Mom did it.

So, point is, a couple of days of pellets and veggies will be fine.

As for your posts not getting a response, just remember, we all have lives, jobs and pets and probably don’t get on here more than once a day, at most.

[Author]

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